Agenda item

Recommendations

1.     That Executive note each of the ‘findings’ put forward by TEEE O&S committee.

2.     For each finding, and paying particular regard to the Risk & Implications (section 6) and Financial Implications (section 7) sections of this report, Executive is asked to:

·       Agree the finding as written.

·       Agree the finding with amendments as requested by Executive; or

·       Reject the finding.

3.     A capital allocation of £177,000 is set aside, funded from the Strategic Capacity Reserve, to deliver the findings should they be approved.

Considered – A report of the Corporate Director Environment in relation to the findings of a Task and Finish Group of the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which met to review the challenges facing the public convenience service.  The Group had developed a set of guiding principles and associated ‘findings’ for future service delivery, which were now presented for consideration by Executive.

The Executive Member for Managing Our Environment, Councillor Richard Foster, introduced the report and thanked Councillor David Staveley and members of the Task and Finish Group for their detailed work. The service inherited inconsistencies following local government reorganisation and faced an ongoing financial challenge. Councillor Foster highlighted that while public conveniences were a valued and important service, they were non-statutory and must operate within available resources. He proposed amending the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group to remove point 7 relating to integrating toilet costs into car parking tariffs and point 9 relating to ringfencing disposal receipts.  In relation to point 2 the Executive Member suggested adopting a 40p entry fee as an initial, proportionate approach.

Councillor David Staveley, as Chair of the Task and Finish Group, emphasised the significant variation in condition and operation across the estate and urged that officers retain flexibility to explore all options set out in the report.  In a county with a large rural geography and visitor economy public toilets were important for public health, accessibility and tourism.

Councillor Melanie Davis raised concerns about provision in Selby and supported the proposals contained in the report.  Councillor Paul Haslam suggested exploring alternative funding opportunities.  Councillor Keane Duncan referred to the free to pee campaign in Malton and supported the view that public conveniences should be free to access, with charging only as a last resort.

Executive Members supported the proposals and welcomed the ambition to bring all public conveniences to a decent standard by 2030.  The proposals represented a fairer way of funding the service and ensuring that decent facilities were available for residents and visitors.

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic advised that in relation to point 8 certain decisions could not be delegated directly to an Executive Member and would instead require delegation to the Corporate Director in consultation with the Executive Member.

Resolved (unanimously)

1)    That Executive note each of the ‘findings’ put forward by the Transport, Economy, Environment and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee

2)    Executive accept each finding as set out below, with the exception of 7 and 9, which were rejected.  Findings 2 and 8 were amended as detailed above.

1.     As a priority collaborate with others, including the Combined Authority, to identify opportunities for financial support in operating tourist infrastructure and to actively pursue external funding to enhance and sustain the service.

2.     To set a consistent entry fee, the Group recommends the entry fee for 2026-27 to be set at 40p per user, with the final value decided by Executive.

3.     To endorse a capital allocation to expand the locations where a charge is levied.

4.     To endorse a capital allocation to enable officers to explore alternative funding streams, including honesty boxes, app-based donations, advertising, sponsorship, and community partnerships.

5.     To continue to offer free access for disabled users, through the National RADAR key scheme.

6.     To maintain and seek to expand Changing Places provision to meet the needs of people with profound disabilities, supported by external funding.

7.     REJECTED: To implement as part of the next car park tariff review, an increase to the per ticket price across all off-street parking to fund all revenue costs for toilets within the immediate vicinity of any NYC car park. In addition to the revenue costs, the uplift in the tariff should include a contribution towards a capital modernisation programme - should be funded through the overall car park tariff income. If this is approved, the group would like consideration to be given to how this could also support ongoing revenue contributions to Parish and Town councils interested in devolution of any public conveniences.

8.     Consider closure of sites which are in a poor condition, have low footfall and/or are in close proximity to other sites, subject to consultation with Parish/Town Councils, Division Members, Area Committee, Executive and with the final decision to be taken by the Corporate Director Environment in consultation with the Executive Member for Managing Our Environment.

9.     REJECTED: To ring-fence proceeds from the disposal of any public conveniences for reinvestment into the wider toilet network.

10.  To commit to a capital improvement programme to ensure that by 2030 all sites are in a good or excellent condition. Enhancements will aim to include:

·       Water bottle refill stations

·       Baby changing facilities and Sanitary waste disposal options in both male and female spaces

·       Improve signage within and externally to promote network visibility, responsible use of the space and relevant contact details.

·       Environmental initiatives such as greywater recycling, renewable energy generation, and efficient energy use that support the council’s ambition to achieve net-zero carbon neutrality by 2030.

3)    A capital allocation of £177,000 is set aside, funded from the Strategic Capacity Reserve, to deliver the findings should they be approved.